SLAX

Infobox OS
name = SLAX



caption = SLAX Standard Edition 6.0.7
developer = Tomáš Matějíček
family = Linux
source_model = Open source
working_state = Current
latest_release_version = v 6.0.7
latest_release_date = release date and age|2008|05|09
kernel_type = Monolithic kernel
license = Various
website = [http://www.slax.org/ www.slax.org]

SLAX is a Linux Live CD operating system based on Slackware. It does not need to be installed on a computer system's hard drive; it boots and runs from either a CD or USB drive. There is also an option to run SLAX from RAM.SLAX was developed by Tomáš Matějíček in Czech republic using the Linux Live scripts. SLAX 6 was released on 2008-02-12.

Editions

Slax 6

Slax 6 is offered in a single version, and completely relies on modules (additional packages) for extra features.

Slax 5

There are five official versions of Slax 5:
* Slax Standard is the standard distribution for normal personal use.
* Slax KillBill includes Wine, DosBox and Qemu to run DOS and Microsoft Windows applications.
* Slax Server supplies additional Internet functionality and comes with pre-configured DNS, DHCP, SAMBA, HTTP, FTP, MySQL, SMTP, POP3, IMAP, SSH and other server applications.
* Slax Popcorn is a minimalistic version focused on browsing and multimedia playback. It features Mozilla Firefox as the default web browser and the lightweight Xfce as a desktop environment instead of KDE.
* Slax Frodo is a "bare bone" version, providing only a full-featured text-only environment, particularly focused on computers with small amounts of RAM.
Fluxbox is an option in all versions except Frodo.

Features

One of the primary features of Slax is easy customization. Additional software, such as Slackware packages, can be added to the basic CD to customize the distribution. The Slax homepage offers a software repository for downloading user created packages (modules) and uploading new ones. [ [http://www.slax.org/modules.php Slax modules] , Official Slax module repository]

Slax stores all its modules in compressed read-only files (SquashFS file system images using the LZMA compression patches). The various modules are stacked together to build the complete Slax root file system. A supplemental writable layer (a TmpFS file system) is put on the top of the stack to implement the write functionality.

The stackable file system of choice changed between Slax 5 (UnionFS) and 6 (AuFS), as did the module file name extension (changed from .mo to .lzm).A Live USB of SLAX can be created manually or with UNetbootin [ [http://unetbootin.sourceforge.net/] ] .

Derivative distributions

Various distributions have been based on SLAX. More information can be found through the DistroWatch site and the [http://www.live-developers.org/CategoryDistributions Live Developers] community wiki.
* [http://linvo.linux-bg.org Linvo] - a live desktop distribution with software for daily uses, an installer and package management tools.
*BackTrack - a live distribution with many functional information security and penetration testing tools.
*DAVIX - a live cd for data analysis and visualization.
* [http://www.de-ice.net De-ICE.net] - A set of live CDs designed to be used as penetration test targets.
* [http://scattershot.wickedtribe.org/ SimpleSlax] - A 98 MB SLAX 5.1.8 derivative particularly suited for minimal or legacy hardware use and further remastering.
*SLAMPP - a live distribution configured to be a home server.
*Ophcrack Live CD - a live distribution that automates the retrieval, decryption, and cracking of passwords from a Windows system.

External links

* [http://www.slax.org/ SLAX Homepage]
*
* [http://myslax.bonsonno.org/ MySLAX Creator] - utility used to create a customized SLAX Live CD
* [http://www.geocities.com/slaxfansite/ SLAX Guide] - fan site
* [http://slax.scribblewiki.com/ Unofficial SLAX Wiki]